Bootsie the Cat Has Left Abusive 1st Life Behind

Boots, the tabby cat from Burbank who made headlines after being struck in the mouth by an abusive owner, is on the mend at a new and loving home.

Animal lovers were shocked by news of the Dec. 28 beating of Boots, a scrawny gray and black tabby whose jaw was broken in the attack. Police arrested William A. Painter at his apartment after he admitted hitting the cat, his 6-year-old daughter’s pet.

Bootsie--renamed by her new owner, who requested he be identified only as “Steven”--has so far gained more than 2 pounds. He said the cat was so emaciated when she arrived, “You could feel every bone in her body.”

On Feb. 6, veterinarian Lillian Roberts removed the wiring from Bootsie’s jaw, along with a tooth damaged in the attack. Bootsie is now able to eat regular cat food.

“She is just a doll,” said Steven, a resident of Indian Wells, Calif. “I think she’s completely forgotten about that whole thing.”

After hearing about the attack on Bootsie in a news report, Steven said he contacted Burbank police officials, who arranged for the adoption.

Steven said he has paid hundreds of dollars to veterinarians in Burbank and Palm Desert for Bootsie’s medical care. He said he hopes Bootsie’s story will prompt others to consider rescuing abused animals.

Painter’s wife told police her husband was enraged by the cat’s wailing while Painter watched television.

After pleading guilty to animal cruelty, Painter was sentenced to 30 days in jail, ordered to perform 80 hours of Caltrans work, pay $300 to the Burbank animal shelter and attend weekly anger-management sessions for six months.

During his arrest, Painter asked the arresting officers, “What’s wrong with hitting a cat?”